Description

Performance by Rankin is a celebration of the enormous talent and resilience of London’s theatreland, the cultural heart of the city, as it emerges from a devastating pandemic shutdown. Created in partnership with Official London Theatre and FUJIFILM House of Photography, with funding from the Mayor of London, this ambitious project captures the human face of London’s world leading theatre industry.

From star actors, dancers, writers, directors and producers to stage managers, dressers, designers, technicians, pit musicians, puppeteers, front of house staff, stage door keepers and countless more, Rankin captures a once-in-a-lifetime portrait of a West End reborn, featuring 150 subjects from nearly 60 of London’s top productions and venues.

”Theatre is the beating heart of London’s cultural scene. It is what draws people to the West End and allows all of us to escape into another world or narrative for a few hours. As people we need to entertain and be entertained. It helps us feel things, to connect to laugh, cry and everything in between”. - Rankin.

”We hope these extraordinary images will inspire you to support the theatre industry in the most effective possible way - by buying tickets to see a show! Our theatres are open, delighted to be #BackOnStage and ready to welcome you through their doors again.” - Society of London Theatre.

”From our galleries to our theatres and museums, London’s cultural sector has had an incredibly difficult 18 months. This once-in-a-lifetime portrait of the West End, showcases the incredible talent that comes together to make our theatres the envy of the world.” - Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London.

All of the images have been shot on the FUJIFIM GFX100 medium format camera and printed on FUJIFILM photographic paper. All donations to the exhibition will support the Theatre Artists Fund offering emergency grants to theatre workers and the Mayor’s Youth Homeless Charities. We hope this ambitious project inspires you to see a show.